Warning: This article contains US-pace spoilers for Marvel's Agents of SHIELD. Read at your own peril.
He had his heart crushed by Coulson's robot hand. He was possessed by a dark Inhuman, then blown up in space. But you just can't keep a good villain like Grant Ward down.
Brett Dalton has reprised his Agents of SHIELD role as part of a new storyline that sees our heroes trapped in a virtual world known as the Framework.
Speaking to press including Digital Spy, Dalton admitted he thought he was done with Ward for good, following the character's multiple exits.
"Mo [Tancharoen, co-showrunner] had mentioned the possibility [of a comeback] at the end of season 3," he revealed. "like: "I was like, 'Man, this is never going to happen' – I died many times, I blew up in space... that's pretty permanent!
"Then, when I got the call, and she told me about the story, I was like, 'Oh, that's fantastic' – there's so many more stories to tell about Grant Ward. I was on board from the very beginning."
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In the original universe, Ward was a HYDRA mole, secretly working against his friends and allies. But in the Framework, he's actually a member of the Resistance, working against HYDRA.
Could we see more of Dalton on the show in future, once the Framework arc is over? Series boss Tancharoen would neither confirm or deny, adding: "But that's a good question!"
She also hinted that more characters from the show's past - including those we thought were gone for good – could return as part of the Framework.
"There will be some of your greatest hits."
What price a return for Trip (BJ Britt)?
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD airs Sunday nights at 9pm on E4 in the UK.
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